Backpack with shoulder movement harness system

ABSTRACT

A backpack has a backpack body having a front panel  2 , side panels  3 , a back panel  4 , a top panel  1 , an opening for inserting equipment into the pack, a base portion, and a hip or waist belt  8 . The base portion has an inner panel  5  and an outer panel  6 . The inner panel  5  and outer panel  6  define a passage therebetween which terminates in side openings. A shoulder harness has two shoulder straps  7 . The shoulder straps are operatively connected to a flexible member  12  that is substantially non-compressible across its width, has a substantially smooth surface, and extends through the passage. The width of the flexible member  12  is smaller than the width of the side openings and extends through the passage via the side openings with portions of the flexible member extending upwardly from the side openings at an angle to the back panel. The angle of the upwardly extending portions is variable relative to the back panel to accommodate wearers having differing back lengths. The flexible member is substantially freely movable in a forward and rearward direction and a side to side direction relative to the base portion, over a range of differing angles of the upwardly extending portions, to enable shoulder movement of a wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims priority from New Zealand Patent Application No. 536593, filed on Nov. 17, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to backpacks in general and specifically to a shoulder strap harness system which allows free shoulder movement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A backpack is designed to carry a load on the human body. The load is transferred to the wearer's body via a set of shoulder straps and a hip belt. As the wearer walks, climbs, skis, skates or runs, the shoulders need to move freely so that the wearer's movements are not restricted. At the same time, the backpack must remain stably locked in position for the wearer to maintain balance.

Backpacks that have shoulder straps fixed directly to the backpack will greatly restrict shoulder movement. When the wearer tries to move his shoulders, the shoulder straps will resist this movement. To move, the wearer has to overcome this resistance by moving the entire load. This compromises stability and hinders performance in high motion sports.

Various systems have been described to allow shoulder movement in backpacks. My GB patent 2140481B showed a method of interlinking the shoulder strap ends via a web running through the bottom of the pack. This interlinking web ran through either one or two loops in the bottom of the pack folding over as it changed angle running through these loops. This method of running through loops created significant friction in the movement of the interlinked web reducing the ease of movement of the shoulders. The advantage of this system was that the interlinking web automatically exited from the loop or loops at an angle such that the web curved in one plane only between the loop and the lower end of the shoulder straps, irrespective of the height of the shoulder strap ends. This automatic adjustment of the plane of curvature of the interlinking web strap allows wearers of different back lengths to use the system with no further increase in friction in the movement of the interlinking web.

My NZ patent 506106 describes a system whereby the lower ends of the shoulder straps are interlinked by a web that runs through a channel of material located between the bottom panel and the side and front panels of the backpack. Here the panels are constructed in such a way that the interlinking web curves in one plane only. The channel has a stiffened low friction surface against which the interlinking web slides. The advantage of this system is that the interlinking web can move freely through the slot allowing free movement of the shoulders. However, this is true only when the end of the shoulder straps falls in line with the plane of curvature of the bottom slot. For people with long back lengths, the shoulder strap ends will lie above the plane of curvature of the bottom slot. This means that the flexible interlinking web will be pulled into the upper edge of the channel increasing the friction and thereby inhibiting the free movement of the shoulder straps and therefore the movement of the shoulders. For people with short back lengths, the interlinking web will be pulled into the lower edge of the channel also increasing friction and free movement of the shoulder straps and therefore of the shoulders.

The same limitation applies to a system that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,776. Here the interlinking web runs through a channel located in the bottom panel of the back panel. Here also the interlinking web will only slide completely freely when the shoulder strap ends lie within the plane of curvature described by the channel in the bottom panel. For wearers of short or long back lengths, the interlinking strap will be pulled into the top or bottom edges of the channel respectively, increasing friction and reducing the free movement of the shoulders.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a backpack that provides for improved shoulder movement for wearers having differing back lengths, or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims means “consisting at least in part of”; that is to say when interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include “comprising”, the features prefaced by this term in each statement all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprised” are to be interpreted in similar manner.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a backpack comprising:

a backpack body having a front panel, side panels, a back panel, a top panel, an opening for inserting equipment into the pack, and a base portion comprising an inner panel and an outer panel defining passage therebetween, wherein the passage terminates in side openings;

a hip or waist belt; and

a shoulder harness having two shoulder straps that are operatively connected to a flexible member that has a length and a width, and is substantially non-compressible across its width and has a substantially smooth surface;

wherein the width of the flexible member is smaller than a width of the side openings and extends through the passage via the side openings with portions of the flexible member extending upwardly from the side openings at an angle relative to the back panel, the angle of the upwardly extending portions being variable relative to the back panel to accommodate wearers having differing back lengths, and wherein the flexible member is substantially freely movable in a forward and rearward direction and a side to side direction relative to the base portion, over a range of differing angles of the upwardly extending portions, to enable shoulder movement of a wearer.

The back panel is defined as the panel that is positioned closest to the wearer's back, and would generally touch the wearer's back, while the backpack is being worn.

Advantageously, the passage spans at least a substantial part of a width of the base portion, and the flexible member extends into the passage from sides of the base portion.

The inner panel may be concavely curved relative to the outer panel.

The flexible member may have a substantially rectangular cross section, allowing bending in one plane only. Suitably, the flexible member has rounded edges. Alternatively, the flexible member may have a substantially circular cross section, allowing bending in two planes.

The flexible member is preferably also substantially non-compressible along its length.

The flexible member may be operatively connected to each shoulder strap by a buckle. Each end of the flexible member may be connected to a further member, and each further member may be connected to a respective shoulder strap by a buckle.

In one embodiment, one or more support straps extend from the shoulder straps in the general regions of the shoulder straps that will extend over a wearer's shoulders in use, wherein the support strap(s) is/are substantially freely slidable relative to the backpack body to accommodate shoulder movement.

Advantageously, the support strap extends from one shoulder strap to the other, via a support loop that is positioned intermediate the shoulder straps and is connected to the backpack body, and the support strap can slide through the support loop.

Alternatively, a respective support strap may extend from each of the shoulder straps, and each support strap may be substantially freely slidable relative to the backpack body. Suitably, the backpack body comprises frame stays, and each support strap is slidably connected to a respective frame stay. The frame stays may be provided in a tapered configuration, tapering toward their lower ends.

The or each support strap may comprise a buckle to provide for adjustment of the length of the support strap.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a backpack comprising:

a backpack body having a base portion, a top panel, two side panels, a front panel and a back panel;

a shoulder harness having two shoulder straps;

wherein one or more support straps extend from the shoulder straps in the general regions of the shoulder straps that will extend over a wearer's shoulders in use, and the support strap(s) is/are substantially freely slidable relative to the backpack body to accommodate shoulder movement.

Advantageously, the support strap extends from one shoulder strap to the other, via a support loop that is positioned intermediate the shoulder straps and is connected to the backpack body, and the support strap can slide through the support loop.

Alternatively, a respective support strap extends from each of the shoulder straps, and each support strap is substantially freely slidable relative to the backpack body. Suitably, the backpack body comprises frame stays, and wherein each support strap is slidably connected to a respective frame stay. The frame stays may be provided in a tapered configuration, tapering toward their lower ends.

The or each support strap may comprise a buckle to provide for adjustment of the length of the support strap.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a backpack according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the center bottom of the backpack shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a backpack according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the harness shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 on a wearer showing the movement of the shoulders and resulting movement of the harness;

FIG. 5 shows a back view of a backpack according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a back view of a backpack according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first preferred embodiment backpack is shown. The backpack has a backpack body, a shoulder harness 7 and a hip or waist belt 8. The shoulder harness allows the backpack to be carried on the back of a wearer and the hip assists in stabilizing the backpack on the wearer's body.

The backpack body has a top panel or lid 1, a front panel 2, side panels 3, a back panel 4, an opening for inserting equipment into the pack, and a base portion having an inner panel 5 and an outer panel 6. The back panel is defined as the panel that is positioned closest to the wearer's back, and would generally touch the wearer's back, while the backpack is being worn.

A shoulder harness 7 consists of a pair of shoulder straps that join together at their base forming a generally V shape when laid flat. The harness fits to the wearer's body as follows: the base of the V is positioned in the middle area of the upper back of the wearer. The middle of each shoulder strap passes over the shoulders and the ends of the shoulder straps lie either side of the wearer's chest.

The base of the shoulder harness can preferably be attached at different heights to the back panel to allow wearers of different back length to match their dimensions. The middle section of the shoulder straps preferably has a web fixed at a point near or adjacent to the top of the wearer's shoulders. Each web is threaded through a buckle which is fixed to the top of the back panel either side of center by a web strap. These buckles allow the distance between the top of the backpack and the wearer's shoulders to be adjusted for a close fit.

At the ends of each shoulder strap 7, a buckle 9 is fixed. The top end of a web or strap 10 is threaded through each buckle. The length of the web or strap is adjustable, allowing the proportion of the load on the shoulder straps and hips to be varied.

A flexible member 12 extends through the passage between the inner panel 5 and the outer panel 6 of the base portion. In the embodiment shown, each shoulder strap is operatively connected to the flexible member 12 such as being attached via buckles and webs or straps via the webs or straps 10. Alternatively, the flexible member may be attached directly to the shoulder straps.

The bottom end of each web 10 is fixed to a limiting web or strap 11 and to the flexible member 12. The lower end of the limiting web 11 is fixed to the edge of the outer bottom surface 6. The limiting web 11 provides a stop to limit the range of movement of the flexible member in the passage to allow the pack to be put on easily.

The passage between the inner panel 5 and the outer panel 6 substantially spans the width of the base portion with openings 13 at either side of the pack. The flexible member 12 is slidably attached to the backpack body via this passage. The flexible member passes through the openings 13 and is substantially free to slide within the passage between the inner panel 5 and outer panel 6. The flexible member 12 forms a continuous sling under the base of the back to transfer load from the backpack onto the shoulders.

The relative dimensions of the flexible member 12, passage, and openings are such that the flexible member 12 is free to move generally horizontally, in a forward and rearward direction and in a side to side direction relative to the backpack body. In particular, the flexible member has a length and a width, and the width of the flexible member is smaller than the forward to rearward width of the passage and openings. The forward and rearward movement is movement towards and away from the front and back panels of the backpack, in a direction shown by Arrow AA in FIG. 2. The side to side direction is movement towards and away from the left and right panels of the backpack, in a direction into and out of the page in FIG. 2.

The flexible member 12 has a substantially smooth surface. Preferably, the flexible member is composed of a low friction plastic material. Alternatively, the flexible member may be composed of a webbing or strap material and coated with a friction reducing material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. While the flexible member is flexible so it can bend in one plane, or in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in two planes, the flexible member is substantially non-compressible across its width. The flexible member is preferably also substantially non-compressible along its length. Most preferably, the flexible member is substantially non-compressible in every dimension.

The flexible member 12 may have a substantially rectangular cross section with a narrow dimension and a wide dimension. Preferably the flexible member has rounded edges. The flexible member is relatively flexible in the narrow dimension and substantially inflexible in the wide dimension, and therefore free to bend easily in one plane. The flexible member 12 curves upwards towards its ends. The curvature of the flexible member 12 is in line with the angle of webs 10, such that flexible member 12 and webs 10 curve in one plane only. The smooth surface and rounded edges reduce friction between the flexible member and the inner panel 5, outer panel 6 and openings 13 as the flexible member slides.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the bottom portion of the pack shown in FIG. 1. At the bottom, the inner panel 5 is a generally concave shape in relation to the outer panel, being wider from front to back than outer panel 6. Preferably, the region of greatest curvature of inner panel 5 is towards the rear panel 4 of the backpack body. The flexible member 12 will position itself on this concave surface along the line of least resistance. The position of this line is determined by the plane of curvature of flexible member 12 and webs 10. The arrows show how the plane of curvature varies for wearers with differing back lengths. Whatever the plane of curvature, flexible member 12 will automatically position itself along the line of least resistance.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a wearer with the backpack on. The arrows show the direction of movement of the shoulder straps, buckles 9 and webs 10 as one shoulder is lifted and the other is lowered. When one shoulder of the wearer is raised and the other lowered, the flexible member 12 will slide freely to allow this movement. As one shoulder is lifted, the shoulder strap, buckle, and web will be pulled upwards. The sliding connection between the flexible member and the passage in the backpack body allows the shoulder strap to move while the backpack body remains substantially still.

The angle of the plane which the flexible member takes due to the pull on the shoulder strap will automatically adjust to the height of the shoulder strap ends by resetting itself to the optimum position on the concave surface of the inside bottom panel. Thus the movement of the flexible member, and therefore the movement of the wearer's shoulders, will remain free and unrestricted, no matter what the height of the shoulder strap ends relative to the bottom panel. This system therefore allows wearers of different back lengths to be accommodated without compromising the freedom of shoulder movement.

The backpack body is made from conventional backpack materials, such as canvas. The backpack body may have stiffening members, for example, stiffening rods, frames or panels may be positioned at the sides of the back panel and extend to the base of the back panel. These prevent the rear surface of the back panel collapsing under load. Stiffening members may also be incorporated in the bottom panel to increase rigidity. The shoulder straps are made from conventional materials such as canvas and may be stitched and padded.

FIG. 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of the backpack. Unless described below, the features and operation should be considered to be the same as those described above. In the second embodiment, the flexible member 14 has a substantially circular cross section. Preferably, the flexible member 14 has a smooth surface, and is preferably composed of low friction plastic material. Alternatively, the flexible member 14 may be a cord coated with a friction reducing material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. As outlined above, the flexible member is substantially non-compressible across its width. Preferably, the flexible member is substantially non-compressible along its length, and most preferably the flexible member is substantially non-compressible in every dimension.

A connector part 15 joins flexible member 14 to both webs 10 and 11. In this embodiment, the inner panel 5 of the base portion may be the same width from front to back as the outer panel 6. In this embodiment, it is not necessary that the inner panel of the base portion is concave. Because flexible member 14 is substantially circular in cross section it can bend with equal ease in two planes, thus it will accommodate changes in shoulder strap height due to wearers of different back lengths using the pack.

FIG. 5 shows a back view of a third preferred embodiment backpack with the hip or waist belt not drawn for clarity. Unless described below, the features and operation should be considered to be the same as those described above. The difference between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments is that the shoulder straps have an alternative strap arrangement for connecting the upper portion of the shoulder harness to the backpack body. The strap arrangement further facilitates movement of a wearer's shoulders.

In this third embodiment, the strapping arrangement has buckles and webs or straps connected to the shoulder harness, and the backpack has a pair of frame stays 16 located in the back panel. The stays are preferably positioned in a tapering generally V-shaped configuration being centrally located at the base of the back panel and laterally located in the upper area. A part of the upper section of each stay is exposed. These frame stays are held in position by fabric or web sleeves in the bottom and middle sections and at the top ends.

The base of the shoulder harness is fixed to the back panel behind a breathable outer back panel surface 17. The shoulder harness has webs 18 fixed to the central portion. Webs 18 are threaded through each buckle 19. Buckles 19 are linked to connectors 21 via webs 20. Connectors 21 are linked to and substantially free to slide up or down the exposed portion of frames 16 when the backpack is in use. For wearers of different back lengths, the height of connectors 21 will automatically adjust to the optimum position on stays 16. When the shoulders of the wearer move up and down, the connectors substantially freely slide up and down the exposed stays to facilitate this movement.

Alternatively, the shoulder straps may be directly linked to the frame stays. For example, the buckles 19 may be of a type which can be directly linked to frame stay 16 without the need for webs 20 and connectors 21. Adjusting webs 18 and buckles 19 allows the distance from the top of the pack to the shoulders to be varied.

A fourth embodiment of the backpack is shown in FIG. 6, with the hip or waist belt not drawn for clarity. Unless described below, the features and operation should be considered to be the same as those described above. The fourth embodiment provides an alternative strap arrangement for connecting the upper portion of the shoulder harness to the backpack body. As for the third embodiment, the strapping arrangement further facilitates movement of a wearer's shoulders.

In this fourth embodiment, buckles 19 are fixed to opposite ends of web 22. The central section of web or support strap 22 passes through, and is slidable relative to, a support loop 23, folding over as it passes through the loop in a V configuration. The loop 23 is fixed to the top of the pack via a web 24. As the shoulders move, web 22 slides substantially freely through the loop 23. This embodiment allows twisting of the shoulders relative to the hips, as well as sideways bending of the shoulders.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the webs 18 extend from the shoulder straps of the shoulder harness, and from the general regions of the shoulder straps that will extend over the wearer's shoulders in use. Preferably, the webs 18 extend from the shoulder straps level with or slightly forward of the tops of the wearer's shoulders in use. The configuration is preferably such that the webs 18 extend in a tangent from the top curvature of the shoulders of a wearer.

The third and fourth embodiments enhance the movement possibilities of the shoulders to full articulation. The strapping arrangement of the fourth embodiment may be used independently from the first or second embodiments. However, it is preferable that the strapping arrangement is used in combination with either the first or second embodiment of the backpack.

The above describes preferred embodiments of the present invention, and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims. 

1. A backpack, comprising: a backpack body having a front panel, side panels, a back panel, a top panel, an opening for inserting equipment into the pack, and a base portion comprising an inner panel and an outer panel defining passage therebetween, wherein the passage terminates in side openings; a hip or waist belt; and a shoulder harness having two shoulder straps that are operatively connected to a flexible member that has a length and a width, and is substantially non-compressible across its width and has a substantially smooth surface, wherein the width of the flexible member is smaller than a width of the side openings and extends through the passage via the side openings with portions of the flexible member extending upwardly from the side openings at an angle relative to the back panel, the angle of the upwardly extending portions being variable relative to the back panel to accommodate wearers having differing back lengths, and wherein the flexible member is substantially freely movable in a forward and rearward direction and a side to side direction relative to the base portion, over a range of differing angles of the upwardly extending portions, to enable shoulder movement of a wearer.
 2. A backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passage spans at least a substantial part of a width of the base portion, and the flexible member extends into the passage from sides of the base portion.
 3. A backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner panel is concavely curved relative to the outer panel.
 4. A backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible member has a substantially rectangular cross section, allowing bending in one plane only.
 5. A backpack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the flexible member has rounded edges.
 6. A backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible member has a substantially circular cross section, allowing bending in two planes.
 7. A backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible member is substantially non-compressible along its length.
 8. A backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible member is operatively connected to each shoulder strap by a buckle.
 9. A backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein each end of the flexible member is connected to a further member, and each further member is connected to a respective shoulder strap by a buckle.
 10. A backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more support straps extend from the shoulder straps in the general regions of the shoulder straps that will extend over a wearer's shoulders in use, wherein the support strap(s) is/are substantially freely slidable relative to the backpack body to accommodate shoulder movement.
 11. A backpack as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support strap extends from one shoulder strap to the other, via a support loop that is positioned intermediate the shoulder straps and is connected to the backpack body, wherein the support strap can slide through the support loop.
 12. A backpack as claimed in claim 10, wherein a respective support strap extends from each of the shoulder straps, and each support strap is substantially freely slidable relative to the backpack body.
 13. A backpack as claimed in claim 12, wherein the backpack body comprises frame stays, and wherein each support strap is slidably connected to a respective frame stay.
 14. A backpack as claimed in claim 13, wherein the frame stays are provided in a tapered configuration, tapering toward their lower ends.
 15. A backpack as claimed in claim 10, wherein the or each support strap comprises a buckle to provide for adjustment of the length of the support strap.
 16. A backpack, comprising: a backpack body having a base portion, a top panel, two side panels, a front panel and a back panel; and a shoulder harness having two shoulder straps, wherein one or more support straps extend from the shoulder straps in the general regions of the shoulder straps that will extend over a wearer's shoulders in use, and the support strap(s) is/are substantially freely slidable relative to the backpack body to accommodate shoulder movement.
 17. A backpack as claimed in claim 16, wherein the support strap extends from one shoulder strap to the other, via a support loop that is positioned intermediate the shoulder straps and is connected to the backpack body, wherein the support strap can slide through the support loop.
 18. A backpack as claimed in claim 16, wherein a respective support strap extends from each of the shoulder straps, and each support strap is substantially freely slidable relative to the backpack body.
 19. A backpack as claimed in claim 18, wherein the backpack body comprises frame stays, and wherein each support strap is slidably connected to a respective frame stay.
 20. A backpack as claimed in claim 19, wherein the frame stays are provided in a tapered configuration, tapering toward their lower ends.
 21. A backpack as claimed in claim 17, wherein the or each support strap comprises a buckle to provide for adjustment of the length of the support strap. 